And the winner is...

Drumroll

...Miri, with her suggestion of Lois McMaster Bujold. I've read one of her books ages ago which was pretty good, so I'll keep an eye out for some more.

If you can email or message me on Rav with your address I'll get your prize sent out later!

We have a prize (winner to be announced later)

So here's the lovely prize for the reading suggestions competition. Feel free to offer your favourite books from any genre really. I'm always up for broadening my reading horizons.

I thought a vaguely book themed prize would be good, so we've got a woven bookmark, and a mini needle book, handy for a mini sewing kit?(tute from Girl on the Rocks)

I've also been tagged for a meme by librarylass
Here are the rules:
1. Link back to the person who tagged you (see above)
2. Mention the rules on your blog (you're reading them now)
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
a) I don't like pasta. It's yukky.
b) I have a terrible sense of smell. This may explain a) a little.
c) I am a chocolate fiend
d) I am a bit allergic to cats. Occasionally owners will jokingly say "I hope you're not allergic to cats" if I start sneezing in the consult room. I generally claim hay fever.
e) I'm not really a fan of lunch. I'm often not hungry and I don't really like stuff that has been sitting in my bag all day. Although I could probably eat three breakfasts a day.
f) I find doing these things a challenge. I'm guessing it's taken me about 40 minutes to do this (although I have been wasting time on the internet doing other things).
4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking to them.
I'm going to skip this one. I've spent too much time on this already.
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged bloggers blogs letting them know they've been tagged
See above.

Bloggy Competition

Recently we've had someone away from work for a bit, so I've been working extra hours which has left me a bit tired and grumpy. Anyway, I've decided that because of that I deserve some craft booky goodness...and that's where you guys come in.

I've come up with a bit of a list of books I'd like to get (but unfortunately I can't get them all) so I'm looking for feedback on where best to spend my money. Either let me know which books are fantastic (or which one's you've heard are fantastic), which one's overlap a bit (and so I should only pick one), or any other books that you think I should add to my list. I'm aiming to get a bit of a range of crafts.

1. Books I'm almost definately going to get:

Bend-the-Rules Sewing: The Essential Guide to a Whole New Way to Sew by Amy Karol
I've heard really great things about this one.

2. Books I'd love to get:

Amigurumi!: Super Happy Crochet Cute by Elisabeth Doherty
They're very cute...but I've got an excess of soft toys at the moment. Although great gifts.

Sock and Glove: Creating Charming Softy Friends from Cast-Off Socks and Gloves by Miyako Kanamori
Again, lovely and cute.

Crochet Me: Designs to Fuel the Crochet Revolution by Kim Werker
Ok, so it's not actually out yet. That shouldn't stop comments should it?

A Crochet Stitch Dictionary
I didn't actually find anything specific, so suggestions of good ones would be really appreciated. I'd probably like something with a nice range, clear directions, inspiring pictures.

3. Books I'm not quite sure of (but that still look lovely):

Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing: Patterns and How-To for 24 Fresh and Easy Projects by Lotta Jansdotter
I'm just not sure how many sewing books I should buy right now because I don't sew as often as I'd like to.

Sublime Stitching: Hundreds of Hip Embroidery Patterns and How-To (Spiral-bound) by Jenny Hart
I've got a few embroidery books and there are great resources on the internet for different stitches, so this would mainly be for patterns, although I've heard they're not as unique as the individual Sublime Stitching Patterns.

Plush-o-Rama: Curious Creatures for Immature Adults by Linda Kopp
Because now I'm on my third toy book. But still cute!

Best comments* will win a bookmark so leave a comment, along with your preferred bookmark and I'll probably draw it (and order books) next week, so you've got a little while to think about it.

*Best comment may be based on most useful, most funny or simply picked randomly.